To calm a German Shepherd, you need a combination of intense physical exercise, consistent mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys), and a predictable routine, rewarding calm behavior to teach them to settle, as their high energy and working drives need outlets to prevent restlessness and anxiety.
“Give them plenty of exercise to help them be well-behaved and calm” “Do lots of trick training/obedience training/sniff games/agility/focus games to help tire them out”
To show your dog you're the leader, provide calm, consistent structure through training, clear rules (like waiting before going through doors or eating), and leading on walks (dog beside or behind you). It's about confidence, not aggression, ensuring your dog feels secure in a balanced environment where you control resources and activities, not by overpowering them but by offering reliable guidance.
The "3-second rule" for dogs refers to two main techniques: limiting initial greetings to three seconds to prevent escalation and using three-second intervals for petting to gauge consent and comfort, pausing to see if the dog seeks more interaction, building trust, and avoiding overstimulation. It's a quick way to manage dog introductions and assess comfort, helping avoid conflict by disengaging before tension rises.
Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at least 7 times • Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys • Walked on at least 7 different substrates (grass, gravel, concrete, etc.)
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
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Practice Calm Assertiveness
Use assertive body language with your dog to show that you're the leader but avoid shouting and using physical aggression. You want to remain calm yet assertive in order to prevent the dog from being fearful of you or continuing to see you as passive.
Citrus Scents
To many dogs, the smell of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits simply smells bad. Citrus oils are too strong for a dog's powerful nose and can cause irritation. You might even notice your dog sneezing or moving away if they catch a whiff of these scents.
The Dog Calming Code teaches both new and veteran dog owners how to communicate with dogs, how to connect with dogs, and how to create an ideal relationship that makes training easier. It's not only about basic command training; it's training in a way that makes your dog listen and obey.
"Red Flags":
This is especially problematic if it is associated with growling, stiffening of body postures, or a snarling display of teeth. These behaviors indicate fear or pain and should be evaluated to make sure there is not a major underlying problem.
The 3-Bark Rule is a dog training technique that lets a dog bark up to three times to alert to a perceived threat (like someone at the door) and then teaches them to stop with a "quiet" or "done" cue, respecting their natural watchdog instinct while preventing excessive barking. It involves acknowledging their alert (sometimes with a "thank you"), letting them bark a few times, and then calmly asking them to stop, rewarding them when they do.
Noise phobia, sometimes called sound shyness, is an excellent example of a highly heritable defect of temperament. Noise phobia is an exaggerated fear of thunder, fireworks, gunshots, etc. The 2009-10 ASHGI health survey indicated that a third of Aussies have some degree of noise phobia.
For example, 15 minutes of mental training is equivalent to about an hour of walking! In some cases, these exercises can even alleviate behavioural problems caused by excess energy, since they redirect the dog's attention to socially acceptable activities.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
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Checking in During Walks
Dogs that see their owners as pack leaders will often check in with them during walks, looking back or pausing to ensure they are following. This behaviour is a sign of respect and acknowledgement of your leadership.
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
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How do they do this? It's biological. All animals have circadian rhythms - physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding to light and darkness in the environment. They may also be affected by factors like temperature and social cues.
One minute for a human is 7 minutes for a dog, 1 hour is 7 hours, 1 day is 7 days, 1 week is 7 weeks, and so on.
Do dogs know how long you are away? They can't tell how many hours, days, or weeks you have been absent. But they can sense the passage of time through many mechanisms while you are gone. Because dogs tend to focus on the current moment, it could be a case of you either being there or not.